June 22, 2008 6:00 o'clock am.

GMA orders relief, rescue operations
President Arroyo yesterday ordered relief and rescue operations for the victims of typhoon "Frank" before she left for the United States for a ten-day working visit.
Mrs. Arroyo convened the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and issued directives for the relief operations for the victims of the typhoon.
Mrs. Arroyo put the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) into "relief-and-rescue standby mode."
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been instructed to repair damaged infrastructure after typhoon "Frank" has left the country.
She also ordered the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to "forward-deploy resources" to areas on the typhoon’s path.
"By law, Calamity Funds have been advanced to DND, DPWH and DSWD, which means that the tools to provide care and comfort have been prepositioned in our first responders," she said at the NDCC meeting.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF), including the Presidential Airlift Wing, was ordered to fly "mercy missions" and aid in rescue and relief operations of other government agencies.
Mrs. Arroyo also instructed Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap to ensure affordable rice to areas hit hard by the typhoon, and to repair agricultural lands expected to be damaged. (David Cagahastian)